Implementation to take place over two years
On Nov. 21, the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System announced that it plans “to replace its current electronic health records (EHR) systems with a single, integrated platform by industry leader Epic.”
A news release explains, “When fully implemented over the next two years, the new platform will replace numerous standalone and ancillary systems, streamline processes for care providers and tap innovative tools to optimize the delivery of patient care.”
The release adds, “Among other benefits, Epic will allow the seamless exchange of patients’ health information using one EHR platform across all Sarasota Memorial providers and facilities. Different care teams will be able to better coordinate patient care, regardless of where the providers are located. Epic also deploys the latest tools and technology, including artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, to provide clinicians with up-to-date insights to enhance that care,” the release points out.
“This investment represents a significant step we are taking … to ensure our patients receive the best care possible now and well into the future,” said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder in the release. “Epic’s secure, patient-focused platform has become the top-ranked EHR system used by healthcare organizations across the nation,” Verinder added. “[W]e look forward to the many benefits the nationally recognized system will bring to our patients and medical teams managing their care.”
After the system has been fully implemented, “patients will notice exciting changes too, including My Chart, a user-friendly patient portal that will give people improved access to their complete medical record in one location and securely exchange information with their care teams,” the release says.